John Pritchard, chair of Whaley Bridge town council, centre in the picture, congratulates recipients of grants from the Rose Queen Festival committee.The grants, ranging from £50 to £150 raised at last summer’s carnival, went to youth-related organisations in the town. A total of £1,400 included items such as a bike shed at Taxal and Fernilee school, help to pay for an entertainer at Uniting Church toddler group, replacement of the 1st Taxal Scouts’ camping equipment, and instrument repairs for Whaley Bridge Band. There were special grants of £200 for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which supplied a Hurricane flypast on carnival day and £150 to parade favourites the Billerettes.

The presentations followed a children’s disco in the Bowling Club. Festival chair Tim Mourne urged people to help encourage candidates for Rose Queen at next year’s 40 the anniversary of the event to come forward.